TOWARDS SAFER ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS WITH GOVERNMENT

3 May 2004
53/04

Australian businesses will be able to feel more confident about their online commercial transactions with Government under the Australian Government's Electronic Authentication Framework.

I have today released an exposure draft of the Framework, which is designed to help Government agencies to establish safer, more secure transactions with the business community.

There are commercial advantages for businesses in dealing online with Australian Government agencies. It is quicker and cheaper, and services are available 24 hours a day.

Australian businesses are increasingly realising these advantages. Last financial year, 345,000 companies accessed a Government service online, while 97,000 businesses submitted payments electronically.

However, as online transactions with government increase in volume and complexity, there is an increased risk that these transactions may be intercepted by a third party or that online identities may be fraudulently acquired.

Through this Framework, the Government is actively addressing these risks.

The Framework provides that all Government agencies carefully assess the level of risk associated with each online transaction and establish appropriate mechanisms to authenticate the claims of their business clients.

The Government is mindful of the need to keep authentication requirements simple and cost effective for our business users. Therefore, we propose only to use high assurance authentication technologies when the risks warrant their use.

I encourage anyone with an interest in online transactions between business and Government to read the exposure draft of the Electronic Authentication Framework at www.agimo.gov.au.

Feedback should be sent to agaf@agimo.gov.au or telephone (02) 6271 1317 by 21 May 2004.

Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373